Holiday Wind Down

October 10th 2011

After a particularly busy time in which the harvest and Sukkot are celebrated, the festivities start to wind down with the dual holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. In Israel, these are both celebrated on the same day- October 8, 2012- which coincides with the last day of Sukkot. Israel tours – October 2012 – will get you to Israel for this special time.

Since there is so much to see and do in Israel, you will find you have a variety of activities to choose from, some related to the holidays directly. Simchat Torah marks the end of the yearly cycle of reading the Torah and the beginning of the next one. It can be celebrated at various locations around Jerusalem, including the Jerusalem Great Synagogue, and at Chabad in the Old City.

This is also a great time to spend learning more about Jerusalem. There are many interesting old neighborhoods to explore, and many newer ones are worth visiting as well. The Knesset is open to visitors on Sundays and Thursdays, and the Supreme Court building is worth a visit as well.

If you enjoy history, the Israel Museum has many interesting exhibits, including the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and a model of the Second Temple. Through your hotel you can also book tours that show you how the city developed over the centuries.

Combining religious holidays with historical exploration can give you an in depth and unique look at fascinating history and rich culture of Jerusalem and Israel.